The new Audi A6 Allroad is a great nod to the big, the small and the RS6 Avant

Audi’s return to form continues and enthusiasts should be pleased.

On Tuesday, the next-generation Audi A6 Allroad debuted globally with a new design, new technology, engines that definitely won’t be coming to the U.S. market, and a bigger presence that makes a visual statement. For on-road enthusiasts, the debut also provides a glimpse of the upcoming RS6 Avant.

Audi USA spokesperson said drive The new A6 Allroad will arrive in the US next year.

Based on the latest A6 and Audi’s new design language, which has steadily infiltrated the lineup from the Q3 and gas and electric A6 models to the upcoming Q7 and Q9 SUVs, the new A6 Allroad looks forward to the future. Configurable LED daytime running lights separate from the headlights are the automaker’s fancy new Adaptive Matrix LED technology. But the flared fenders and 4.3-inch-wider body than the standard A6 draw attention. The stance on this thing is widespread and dangerous. Gaping intakes do some of the heavy lifting at the front while flared fenders extend just ahead of the front doors like the latest RS5. The wheels on the global model are said to range from 19 to 20 inches, and they are outlined by glossy black plastic around the wheel wells.

Inside the A6 Allroad is similar to what we’ve seen in the latest Audi models. The dashboard features an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system under a piece of curved glass. It has a 10.9 inch touchscreen installed in front of the passenger. There is an actual volume knob on the center console, but that’s about it as far as rigid controls go. Unfortunately, the center console is wrapped in glossy piano black plastic and the poorly made single panel of plastic that houses everything from the lighting and mirror adjustments to the door locks and memory seating function is visible here too. But we can take solace in the fact that there are real stalls, although, strangely, they are the old style and not Audi’s new trick one-piece stall design, which is really wonderful. There are also actual vent controls for the climate control system, which editorial-head Kyle Cheromcha will appreciate.

Revealed powertrains are irrelevant and don’t matter here. The turbodiesel V6 won’t be coming to the US at all, and the plug-in hybrid powertrain with the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four likely won’t appear here either. Diesel is out among the Germans in the US and the plug-in hybrid powertrain is not suitable for our market. The A6 Allroad will likely have the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 with 362 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque as the gas A6 sold here today. A seven-speed dual-clutch automatic will likely handle shifting duties and quattro all-wheel drive will apparently be standard. There is an outside chance, with a prayer, that the 2.9-liter turbocharged V6 that debuted in the new Q7 with 429 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque could make its way into this A6 Allroad for the US, but it’s unlikely given the cost of homologating that engine for this car for our market.

Adaptive four-corner air suspension will be standard, providing a 1.3-inch lift over the standard A6. This system can raise or lower the car by 2.1 inches. Four-wheel steering with the ability to dial in up to five degrees of steering in the opposite direction at low speeds and two degrees in the same direction as the front wheels at high speeds should theoretically increase stability and improve maneuverability.

Expect US-specific powertrain and packaging details, along with pricing, to arrive late this year or early next year.

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